Ventolin Elixir 2mg/5ml

Ventolin Elixir general information

What is Ventolin Elixir used for?

Breathing difficulty is a feature of chronic airway diseases.  These include reversible obstructive diseases like asthma and other respiratory conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  These respiratory conditions are caused by inflammation and narrowing of the small airways of the lungs called bronchioles.  Ventolin Elixir 2mg/5ml is a liquid treatment known as a rescue or reliever medication.  It can be used to relieve breathing difficulty in the short-term due to asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema and for immediate relief of asthma attack. 

Bronchospasm

Bronchioles are lined by bands of smooth muscle that are usually relaxed, allowing the bronchioles to expand so that air can pass freely through into the air sacs or alveoli of the lungs.  When the airways are inflamed, the smooth muscle contracts, which narrows the bronchioles making breathing more difficult.  As the airways narrow, it becomes harder to inhale and requires more effort to blow air out of the lungs.  This narrowing of the bronchioles is called bronchospasm.  If the bronchioles are already in a state of chronic inflammation, an asthma trigger may cause sudden constriction and narrowing of the bronchioles, resulting in an asthma attack.

Asthma symptoms and triggers

Symptoms of asthma include wheezing and coughing, tightness of the chest, and shortness of breath.  Having asthma means you have sensitive airways that are reactive to specific triggers.  These include triggers that cause an allergic reaction, such as pollen, dust, or mould, and this type of asthma is called allergic asthma.  Non-allergic asthma triggers include irritants like inhaled chemicals, cigarette smoke, cold air, an infection, stress, exercise, or some medications.  Exercise-induced asthma is a particular type of asthma that only happens after exertion but can last for over an hour after you stop exercising.  Eventually, exposure to an asthma trigger causes inflammation of the sensitive bronchiole linings so that they become swollen and inflamed.  Another sign of inflammation of the airways is the overproduction of mucus, produced to keep the airways moist, and this further blocks the airways. 

Reliever versus preventer medication

Two types of medication are used for treating chronic reversible airway diseases.  A preventer is used to treat the underlying cause of the disease, which is inflammation of the airways.  A preventer is usually an inhaled corticosteroid.  A reliever is used to treat the symptoms only and to relieve bronchoconstriction.  These medications are known as bronchodilators.  They should not be used as the primary treatment for asthma but can help relieve an asthma attack.

Ventolin Elixir is a reliever medication used to improve breathing, but its effects are short-acting.  It is usually taken as well as a preventer medicine.  Ventolin Elixir is a form of asthma reliever medicine that is suitable for children or adults who may have difficulty swallowing tablets and prefer a liquid medicine.  

How does Ventolin Elixir work?

Ventolin Elixir 0.5mg/mL contains salbutamol, a rapid-acting bronchodilator that is used to improve breathing difficulties related to chronic airway diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.  

Bronchoconstriction causes narrowing of the airways resulting in breathing difficulties.  Salbutamol in Ventolin Elixir is a rapid-acting bronchodilator and beta-adrenergic agonist.  It works by selectively binding to beta-2 receptors on the smooth muscle cells of the bronchioles, which allows the muscle to relax and the airways to widen (bronchodilation). 

Salbutamol in Ventolin Elixir takes longer to relieve bronchospasm than inhaled salbutamol.  It can take one to four hours to reach maximum effect.  Once a steady blood level is reached, Ventolin Elixir provides short-term symptomatic relief lasting up to six hours.  You will need to take Ventolin Elixir several times a day to improve breathing difficulty.

What does Ventolin Elixir contain?

Ventolin Elixir contains the active ingredient salbutamol, a bronchodilator used to relieve breathing difficulty in chronic airway diseases.  It also contains sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, hypromellose, sodium benzoate, saccharin sodium, orange flavour, sodium chloride, and purified water

What are the side effects of Ventolin Elixir?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Ventolin Elixir, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Ventolin Elixir include headache, tremor, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), palpitations, muscle cramp.

When should Ventolin Elixir not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Ventolin Elixir so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Ventolin Elixir you should consider the following before taking Ventolin Elixir:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Ventolin Elixir?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have a thyroid condition, high blood pressure, or a heart condition?

What medications interact with Ventolin Elixir?

Some medicines interact with Ventolin Elixir and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Ventolin Elixir or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include non-selective beta-blockers like propranolol. 

If other medications may interact with Ventolin Elixir, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Ventolin Elixir be taken and for how long?

You should take your Ventolin Elixir three to four times daily, using a measuring spoon or syringe to measure the dose required.  You can swallow the dose undiluted, or it can be diluted with purified water.  The dose you take and how often depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendation. 

Missed dose of Ventolin Elixir

If you miss a dose of Ventolin Elixir take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Ventolin Elixir be stored?

You should store your Ventolin Elixir below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.